84R12818 KEL-D
By: Davis of Harris H.B. No. 2131
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the designation of centers of excellence for fetal care
and healthy outcomes in this state.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 241, Health and Safety
Code, is amended by adding Section 241.010 to read as follows:
Sec. 241.010. CENTERS OF EXCELLENCE FOR FETAL CARE AND
HEALTHY OUTCOMES. (a) The department shall designate as a center
of excellence for fetal care and healthy outcomes one or more
hospitals licensed under this chapter that provide comprehensive
maternal, fetal, and neonatal health care for pregnant women with
high-risk medical complications and for fetuses with congenital
anomalies and genetic conditions.
(b) The executive commissioner of the Health and Human
Services Commission, in consultation with the department, shall
adopt rules establishing the criteria necessary for a hospital in
this state to be designated in this state as a center of excellence
for fetal care and healthy outcomes.
(c) The rules adopted under Subsection (b) must prioritize
awarding a designation under this section to a hospital that:
(1) offers fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy outcomes
through an extensive multi-specialty clinical and research program
that is affiliated and collaborates extensively with a public
medical school in this state;
(2) demonstrates a significant commitment to research
and advanced training in fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy
outcomes;
(3) offers one or more accredited fellowships for
advanced training in fetal diagnosis, care, and healthy outcomes;
and
(4) integrates an advanced fetal care program with a
program that provides long-term monitoring and follow-up care for
congenital anomalies and genetic conditions.
(d) The rules adopted under Subsection (b) must ensure that
a designation under this section is based directly on a hospital's
ability to:
(1) achieve cost-effectiveness in health care
treatment;
(2) implement and maintain a cohesive
multidisciplinary structure for its health care team;
(3) exceed critical thresholds for physician and
patient volumes and for physician experience;
(4) report and monitor short-term and long-term
patient outcomes; and
(5) demonstrate an improvement in short-term and
long-term patient outcomes as compared to other hospitals offering
fetal care and healthy outcomes in this state.
SECTION 2. (a) The executive commissioner of the Health and
Human Services Commission shall adopt the rules required by Section
241.010, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, not later
than December 1, 2015.
(b) Not later than September 1, 2016, the Department of
State Health Services shall begin awarding designations required by
Section 241.010, Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, to
hospitals establishing eligibility under that section.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.